206 THE LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS 



" What I wish for is the liberation of Dolomieu, who, 

 for the honour of the Kingdom of Naples, ought to be 

 liberated ; because he is, and must be considered as, a 

 prisoner of war, and cannot be made answerable by the 

 law of nations for actions done by him under the orders 

 of his Commander-in-Chief. I need not trouble you with 

 details on the subject, as Sir William will no doubt shew 

 you my letter to him, by which you will find how lively 

 an interest the scientific persons in Europe take in his 

 fate. 



" Allow me, my dear Lady, to be indebted to you for a 

 favour which none but yourself can offer. Your influence 

 is, as it ought to be, unbounded. Gloriously as you are 

 now circumstanced, having at least a third part of the 

 merit of replacing the crown on the heads of their Sicilian 

 Majesties, undertake the business with your usual spirit. 

 It will be for the honour of the Court of Naples, for the 

 advancement of Science, for the benefit of humanity, 

 and will fix an indelible obligation on one who has the 

 honour of signing himself," etc. 



By stipulation in the treaty of peace, after Marengo, 

 Monsieur Dolomieu was set free. On July 16, 1801, Sir 

 Joseph was able to write to him congratulating him on 

 safe arrival in his own land, and hoping he was able to 

 resume his scientific work. But he died in the following 

 November. 



Sir Joseph Banks to the Right Rouble. William Pitt. 



" SOHO SQUARE, March 17, 1797. 



" Sir Joseph Banks presents his respectful compliments 

 to Mr. Pitt, and requests the honour of a few minutes' 

 conversation with him at any time that may best suit with 

 Mr. Pitt's convenience. It is on the subject of opening 

 a communication with Paris for the reception of the 



